A Taste of the Peak District

Accommodation and attractions of the Peak District of the UK

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Brief crag info:

General

In the early days of climbing, the Peak District was an extremely important area. It was easily accessible from the cities of Sheffield and Manchester. There is a huge variety of climbing, from bolted sports routes to some of the hardest traditional routes. Probably the best known crag in the Peak is Stanage Edge (gritstone), which can absorb hundreds of climbers at weekends. If you prefer your climbing venue to be quieter, there are always some more out of the way limestone crags to be found. Some of the other gritstone edges such as Froggatt and those in the Burbage valley are relatively quiet on weekdays but can get busy at weekends. There are a number of novices and beginners crags, for example Burbage North and Birchen (often and incorrectly called Birchen’s) edge. Froggatt has a wide range of grades to suit all abilities. If you prefer to boulder, there is plenty available. Some of the better and consequently more popular places are the Burbage valley, Higgar Tor and Stanage.

Retail Therapy

If you are not careful, climbing can become really obsessive. Once you have started to buy all those nice shiny karabiners, nuts and other weird devices you may find it difficult to stop. "Just popping into Longland's for a brew" you say. Ha! everyone knows you will be sitting there reading the technical details leaflet of your new camming device or flexing the soles of your new climbing boots. No, I am not convinced that it is possible to enter Longland's through Outside without making a purchase. The best route is through the side door, that way, you get upstairs without passing a sales point. Make sure that you sit inside, rather than on the balcony otherwise you will end up going down to buy a tent or pair of bouldering pants! Oh yes, the bit where you actually stuff bits of your tender flesh into nasty hard rock that follows a session at the "caff" is nearly as good!

After a session at Outside, there is always CCC and Nevis Sport ...

Climbing walls

For those days when you turn up and the crags are too wet/cold or both to make it an enjoyable and appealing day out, there are a number of climbing walls nearby. In Sheffield, there is the Edge, and if you are prepared to drive a few miles further, on the other side of Sheffield is the Foundry. In the west there is the Rope Race at Stockport and in the North there is Leeds wall. Further east is the Nottingham wall which gets unpleasantly chalky at peak times and in the south there is the wall at Birmingham.

Links:

Training for climbers and other articles about climbing

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